I just thought I'd post this up. The Kedron Brook Bike way starts at Mitchelton and can be followed through the Boondall wetlands more or less to the seaside at Shorncliffe/Sandgate. It has various names, but I think all those who ride on the Brisbane northside appreciate this great and scenic track.

The nature of the bikeway is that it follows Kedron Brook so is very prone to flooding and damage in wet times. Also, Boondall Wetlands didn't get it's name by accident. Many of it's paths are prone to submersion.

So, if you follow the brook, and see something that people might like to know about, please post it so that others know what to expect.

Yesterday morning I rode from Stafford to Sandgate. The entry to the bikeway at Stafford City is still closed. The path under Lutwyche Road is being closed and re-opened while they are working on it. There are large pools of water between Stafford and Shaw Road. At the bottom of the hill at Kedron it's a quagmire! There were big efforts being made to clean up the vicinity of Shaw Road from all the damage.

From Shaw road, right out to Nudge road I can only remember one large pool of water near the hockey fields. Actually there was a few puddles out past the criterion. There was also a lot of leaves and sticks down on the path in sections.

The wetlands had numerous sections with quite deep water. Some of them for many metres. When I say deep I mean probably 10-15 cm. There were many sections through the wetlands with lots of leaves and sticks resulting in one of our group getting a hole in his tyre (nasty).

It should improve quickly if this weather stays good, but in the meantime don't bother cleaning your bike before you head out and you might want to put aside a bit of time to clean it up when you get home. You may wish to go fully prepared.

I went out from Mitchelton to Nudgee today. A few very shallow puddles along the Grange-Shaw Rd stretch of the path, but otherwise dry. There is quite a bit of dreck on the paths near the construction works. A puddle or two between Shaw Rd and Kalinga Park. From there to Nudgee is pretty clean and dry.

The BCC have cleaned up the mud pit in the underpass below South Pine Rd (near Anaconda). Not a moment too soon! Actually, the BCC have done a top job getting the paths back into usable condition.

I have not revisited the flooded bridge just up the path from Brookside shopping centre. I've decided to go along Griffith St and cut that part out of my route altogether. It's easier than navigating a narrow, dirty path that can barely fit one pedestrian on it. I might check it out this week and report back here.

Max

One of the best things about bicycle commuting is that it can mitigate the displeasure of having to go to work. - BikeSnobNYCCycling is sometimes like bobbing for apples in a bucket full of dicks. - SydGuy

Did this yesterday too, though from Alderley to Scarborough and back. The path is clear all the way though no problem, there's a bit of a mud pit at nudgee road and some of the track underwater, but that was drying up noticeably between when we went there and when we went back so I'd expect that to be gone this time tomorrow unless we see more rain.

term wrote:Did this yesterday too, though from Alderley to Scarborough and back. The path is clear all the way though no problem, there's a bit of a mud pit at nudgee road and some of the track underwater, but that was drying up noticeably between when we went there and when we went back so I'd expect that to be gone this time tomorrow unless we see more rain.

there were patches about 10/20 meters long where it was underwater by as much as 2 inch's, you definitely needed to slow down for them or you'd get wet, but it was fine and passable. I was more worried about branches across the track but these were mostly all cleared away too, the wetlands gets a lot of traffic in bikes so I imagine people just push them off the path when they come to them.

Comedian wrote:Had the wetlands dried out? There was lots of water there Saturday morning?

My understanding is that the wetlands are flooded not by rains (or not only by rains) but by tides. I.e. if the tide is high there may be water on the path even if it wasn't raining. And then it disappears when you're going back a few hours later.

Which probably means that the water on the path is salty and corrosive... I also remember somebody said he almost rode over a fish there

Thanks Comedian for those links, will take a look and check out the best way to link the GB to the KBB.

The GB is pretty good, in nice condition, a bit of rubbish lying around in places, probably from the windy/wet weather last week...the 10k 'suggested' speed limit is a joke, even I can get up the bridge at more than 10ks/hour! Not too many ped's around when we went over yesterday!My hubby's Garmin said that it was only about 6% gradient...after going up and down Mt Gravatt a few times in the past month, it wasn't as bad as it looks!

We parked at Cannon Hill and rode via Queensport Road up and over the bridge...then hit the crap roads around Pinkenba, blah!

Just a hint - you can ring BCC 24 hours on 3403 8888 and report a footpath or bikeway problem. If you tell them its a 'safety issue' they will usually send someone out the next day to investigate and get it cleaned up quick.

One of the best things about bicycle commuting is that it can mitigate the displeasure of having to go to work. - BikeSnobNYCCycling is sometimes like bobbing for apples in a bucket full of dicks. - SydGuy

I need to check out if Logan council have something similar...when riding to the coast never ever use the bikepaths that are labelled as part of the V1...through Logan the paths are littered with broken glass and rubbish...the last time I rode to the coast got a flat near Beenleigh

I'd rather take my chances on the road!The state of the bikepaths in the BCC area are in a much better state

The Boondall Wetlands path is still a bit wet. A handful of puddles an inch or more deep. One long puddle (3-4 metres) that was, I'm guessing, around 2 inches deep. Otherwise, that section appears to be no better or worse than usual. There's a fair bit of mud in the tunnel just past the Wetlands carpark. Lots of tyre tracks in it, which might make it a bit unpleasant once it dries a bit.

Oh, and some knob smashed a glass or bottle or something just after the bridge near all the construction works in Kedron. There's glass all across the path, no avoiding it.

The good news is that the persistent magpie along the stretch near the Grange seems to have given up. For now.

Max

One of the best things about bicycle commuting is that it can mitigate the displeasure of having to go to work. - BikeSnobNYCCycling is sometimes like bobbing for apples in a bucket full of dicks. - SydGuy

I fixed it fairly quick by cheating and using my spare tube but it was hell annoying... Rode from alderley out to woody point today solo - was a nice day not much wind about, but yes still a little water on the track not enough to worry about thou

Hamster wrote:I tried riding through the Boondall Wetlands last Saturday (23/10) and came across a BIG puddle a little south of the Environment Centre so I turned back. Hamsters are timid little creatures.

Good to hear that it is continuing to dry. Is there anymore recent news? Might give it another go this weekend as it is a really nice ride and the shop in Nudgee Beach makes good lattes.

Thanks for the update. I'll be out there Saturday morning so won't bother cleaning the bike until I get home then.

Something some of you may be interested in. Evans Cycles have SKS mudguards delivered for $49. I was quoted $119 here. Not bad if you really need to go through the wetlands. Also, Spa Cycles have BBB Hardware shoe covers and Brooks medium saddle covers as cheap as.